Yanni Gourde Returns, But Kraken’s Late Rally Falls Short
Yanni Gourde is back on the ice, and you could feel the energy at Climate Pledge Arena. After two months on the sidelines recovering from sports hernia surgery, Gourde made his much-anticipated return for the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild. And let me tell you—he wasted no time making an impact.
From the moment the puck dropped, Gourde was all over the ice, creating plays, getting in opponents' faces, and doing what he does best—bringing relentless energy. He not only recorded an assist on Brandon Montour’s goal late in the second period, but he also came close to scoring himself. The Kraken, however, couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 4-3 in what might be Gourde’s final home game in a Seattle uniform ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
Now, let’s talk about that looming uncertainty. Gourde is one of three Kraken players set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. While he’s had contract talks with the team, there’s no guarantee he’ll stay. And with the deadline just around the corner, fans couldn’t help but wonder—was this his last game at Climate Pledge Arena as a member of the Kraken?
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Gourde, ever the professional, kept his focus on the game, not the rumors. “It was a lot of fun to be out there and play with the guys tonight,” he said postgame, downplaying the emotions of his return. But you could see it in his play—he was fired up. After two long months of watching from the press box, he was back where he belongs, doing what he loves.
Unfortunately for the Kraken, despite a strong push in the third period, they couldn’t solve Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson when it mattered most. Shane Wright, who has been on fire lately, scored his 14th goal of the season, continuing his breakout campaign. The young center has stepped up big-time in Gourde’s absence, raising questions about how the team’s center depth will shake out moving forward.
Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma acknowledged the impact of having Gourde back, saying his energy was noticeable from the start. But with Wright, Matty Beniers, and Chandler Stephenson solidifying their spots down the middle, Gourde has found himself in more of a fourth-line role. That’s a big shift for a player who was once a core part of the team’s forward group.
So, what happens next? Friday’s trade deadline will bring some answers. Whether Gourde stays in Seattle or moves on, one thing is certain—he’s not letting the uncertainty affect his play. “At the end of the day, when you go out there, you give it all you’ve got and you play to your identity,” he said. And that’s exactly what he did.
For now, the Kraken hit the road, and Gourde’s future remains up in the air. Will he still be wearing that Kraken jersey when they return home next week? We’ll find out soon enough.
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